Dale J. LeFever: 1927 – 2009
Dale J. LeFever, 82, a resident of Churubusco and former Churubusco town official, died at 2 p. m. on Friday, September 4, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne following an extended illness.
Mr. LeFever was born in Columbia City on March 30, 1927, a son of Arthur and Fern [Secrist] LeFever, and spent his formative years in Churubusco. He graduated from Churubusco High School in 1945 and later from the International Business College in Fort Wayne. On September 4, 1949 he was married in Churubusco to Imogene C. Allman, and lived all of his adult life in this community.
Employed as an accountant all of his life, he worked at the former McCoy Lumber Company in Churubusco, and was later employed at Schlater Hardware in Fort Wayne. He served as the clerk-treasurer for the Town of Churubusco for 45 years.
He was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, was a member and past secretary for 20 years of Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM, and served on the board of directors of the Churubusco Public Library for 43 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Imogene LeFever on December 30, 1992.
The surviving relatives include his two sons David L. [Monica] LeFever of Churubusco and Gary F. [Elaine] LeFever of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p. m. on Wednesday, September 9, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor Dale H. Linhart, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Tuesday from 2 to 7 p. m. Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 7 p. m. Tuesday at the mortuary.
Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Churubusco Public Library, 116 N. Mulberry Street, Churubusco, IN 46723
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September 7th, 2009 at 3:50 am
So sad to hear about Dale. It was an honor to know him. He was an outstanding example of a professional public servant in his longtime role as the clerk-treasurer of Churubusco as well as a memorable mentor to local government officials. More than once Dale stepped forward and “rescued” the Town when it needed help. Dale was knowledgeable, respected and trustworthy … a good man who led a good life.
I cannot think of a better epitaph.
Viv Sade
Churubusco Town Council
September 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
To David and Gary LeFever I just want to say that I wasn’t aware of your father’s passing until it was too late to visit. I’m very sorry about that! After Dale’s retirement, he and I would get together occasionally for lunch in Fort Wayne and usually hash over the good old times we had working at Schlatter Hardware. It was always a pleasure to spend those times together. We would always talk about our kids, of course, but once in a while there would be griping about things political from both of us. We enjoyed that, and it seemed to make lunch taste better I think! Dale was one of the good guys for sure. Though I am saddened that he is gone, we can certainaly celebrate his life! I wish the best to you all.
Max Clem, Monroeville Indiana